Auxiliary members who placed flags on the Village Green include (left to right) Cindy Ford Doran, Ruth Kahn, Cyndy Ramirez, Gina Jakel, Fran Aponte, Terri Webb and Arlene Vaillancourt. (Photo: Community Volunteer)
Pepperdine annually places an American flag for the almost 3,000 people who were killed on the 911. It is a breathtaking display.
In 2021, the American Legion Auxiliary went to then Village Green Board President Marge Gold and asked for permission to place flags on the Green.
The first year 300 flags were placed, one flag representing 100 people, who were killed in the World Trade Center. Thirteen larger flags were also flown for the service people killed when American troops pulled out of Afghanistan.
The first year was also a chance to educate high school kids, who were not born on 9/11. They had no idea what the flags represented.
Last year under Auxiliary Unit 283 President Ruth Kahn, members placed nearly 600 flags—one representing each five victims.
This year on September 7, members of Palisades Auxiliary Unit 283, supporters, and members of the community placed flags on the Palisades Village Green to commemorate those who died in the terrorist strikes.
The placement of flags is part of the Unit’s Americanism, Community Service and National Security programs.
“As the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001, approaches, it’s important to remember and honor the spirit and sacrifices of those who died in the worst attack against the homeland in our nation’s history,” said Kahn Auxiliary President.
“It was especially touching that members of the community stopped to ask what we were doing and, when they heard, they pitched in to help,” Kahn said. To place the flags, one first has to pound a stake in the ground, pull the stake out and then put the flag in the hole.
The auxiliary hopes the souls of those who were killed, and their families know they are not forgotten – even 3,000 miles away.
Ask yourself, would you be as brave as the 340 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officials, who walked up one of the towers of the World Trade Center, even as it was collapsing? Would you walk up – or would you turn and go the other direction?
Would you be brave: would you stand up to evil and wrong?
Someday you might be called to do the right thing, even if it means death. Where will you stand?
The flags will remain up until the evening of September 12 when they will be removed by Scouts from Troop 223.